Suspected or known diagnosis of arterial hypertension with a secondary cause

Women who were not using an effective method of contraception, or who were pregnant, or breast-feeding

Systolic blood pressure \> 200 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure \> 115 mm Hg

Laboratory test values two fold above the upper normal limit

Previous intolerance to angiotensin conversion enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II blocker (AIIAR)

New York Heart Association class III or IV heart failure

History of stroke in the 6 months prior to entry into the study

Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus, defined as fasting glucose levels \> 140 mg/dL on 3 consecutive assessments

Patients who were included in another investigational drug study in the past 30 days

Telmisartan in Mild to Moderate Hypertensive Patients